Antiterrorism Awareness Resources for Retired Soldiers

Recent terrorist attacks, including the bombing of Metrojet flight 9268, the Beirut suicide bombings, the coordinated attacks in Paris, the Mali hotel attack, and the active shooters in San Bernardino, CA warrant renewed vigilance across all Army communities. The threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and violent extremists is persistent and constantly evolving. Given these events and continued threats, sharing information is an important aspect of the Army’s antiterrorism awareness responsibility.

Community awareness of the terrorist threat and individual protective measures are critical to sustaining an active antiterrorism posture. The combination of Army families and Retired Solders represents a formidable group that greatly extends the eyes and ears of our law enforcement and security professionals. Therefore, we encourage community members not to live in fear, but to remain vigilant, continuously watchful for threats, and prepared to report them to local law enforcement when we see them (“If You See Something, Say Something”). We must also remain aware of our situation and our surroundings, noticing when something or someone seems out of place. Maintaining vigilance and encouraging situational awareness are guiding principles that will help ensure the safety and security of our communities.

The Department of the Army, Office of the Provost Marshal General, Antiterrorism Branch, develops and disseminates a wide range of antiterrorism awareness information and products. One way to share this information with families and retired Soldiers is through Army One Source (AOS) at http://www.myarmyonesource.com/default.aspx. To locate the antiterrorism information on AOS go to the heading labeled “Family Programs and Services,” scroll down to “Go To,” then “iWATCH Army—See Something, Say Something.”

The AOS website is the primary online source of antiterrorism information for Army family members, Retired Soldiers, and Army contractors. Examples of antiterrorism information and resources available on the site:

• General information—a wide range of antiterrorism topics, including self-help guides and flyers for individual protection

• Social media precautions—information on the risks associated with use of social media and precautions to take to protect against terrorist threats, including terrorist attempts to gather personally identifiable information

• Operations security—why it is important and what to do to help the Army

• Information papers and posters—including topics relevant for parents and children

The AOS website also contains a new section containing Travel Alerts. For example, on 23 November 2015, “The Department of State (DoS) alert[ed] U.S. citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats. Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests. This Travel Alert expires on February 24, 2016. Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Da’esh return from Syria and Iraq. Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets, and aviation services. In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Mali. ISIL/Da’esh has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt.” (Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-travel-alert.html). The DoS website (DoS US Passports & International Travel) for travel alerts is http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Constant vigilance and maintaining situational awareness help protect our Army communities. The antiterrorism awareness information on AOS provides substantial resources for Retired Soldiers to stay informed, be prepared, and remain ever vigilant!